Crafting the Ultimate Rugby League Superstar: Matt Dufty’s Perfect Player Revealed
As part of an exciting new feature debuting on Love Rugby League in 2024, we’ve invited prominent rugby league figures – both past and present – to construct their vision of the perfect player. Focusing on five key attributes: passing, kicking, speed, tackling, and rugby IQ, our latest guest is Warrington Wolves full-back Matt Dufty.
The Australian speedster, known for his electrifying pace and skillful playmaking, has shared his all-time dream rugby league player, drawing inspiration from some of the game’s greatest talents. Without further ado, let’s dive into Matt Dufty’s Perfect Player.
Rugby IQ: The Omnipresent Maestro – Billy Slater
Dufty’s choice for the ultimate rugby league IQ is none other than Melbourne Storm legend Billy Slater. “He was just everywhere, he caught balls on the full, always in support, always there to finish off tries,” the Warrington star raved. Dufty fondly recalled playing against Slater, sharing, “We beat them (Melbourne Storm) actually, it was 20-18 at home in Kogarah – a pretty special moment for me.”
Passing: The Pinpoint Precision of Darren Lockyer
For the passing department, Dufty looked to his childhood idol, the versatile Darren Lockyer. “He was my favourite player growing up, he just used to put it on the money all the time. That Aussie team was pretty impressive, a stacked team,” the full-back reminisced.
Kicking: The Maestro of the Boot – Cooper Cronk
Dufty’s selection for the best kicker is another Melbourne Storm legend, Cooper Cronk. “He used to put it right on the money,” the Warrington player stated, highlighting Cronk’s exceptional kicking ability.
Speed: The Unstoppable Foxx – Josh Addo-Carr
When it came to raw pace, Dufty’s choice was an easy one – his former teammate, Josh Addo-Carr. “I’ve played with Josh Addo-Carr and I’ve seen him run first hand.. He is impressive, he’s rapid, so I’m going to go with the Foxx,” Dufty declared.
Tackling: The Bone-Crunching Enforcer – Steve Matai
For the fearsome tackling attribute, Dufty selected former Manly Sea Eagles centre Steve Matai. “When you were running out of the back of shape and he was jamming.. It was the most scary situation you could be in! He could hit, he could bury his shoulder in deep,” the Warrington player said, evidently in awe of Matai’s punishing defensive abilities.
With this impressive lineup of rugby league legends, Matt Dufty has constructed a truly formidable all-star player, one that would strike fear into the hearts of any opposition. Stay tuned for more unique perspectives as Love Rugby League continues its “My Perfect Player” feature in the lead-up to the 2024 season.
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